Thomas Patrick McKenna Jr.

Thomas Patrick McKenna, Jr.
Thomas Patrick McKenna, Jr., 83, of Bluffton, SC, formerly of South Windsor, CT, beloved husband for 64 years of Eveleen (Geromiller) McKenna, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, August 11, 2023, surrounded by his family and friends.
Thomas was born on September 14, 1939, in Troy, NY, son of the late Thomas Patrick McKenna, Sr. and Margaret (Waugh) McKenna, and graduated from Manchester High School, where he was a swimmer, a lifeguard, and was on the track team. Tom met his future wife, Eveleen, in middle school and they played in the band together in high school. Tom was an avid trumpet player, played in a dance band, and attended the Julliard School of music. He received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Connecticut and started a long career in insurance. Tom was employed with the Travelers Insurance Company and went on to become a partner at R.C. Knox and Company in Hartford. He left to start his own agency, The McKenna Insurance Agency, located at the Four Corners in South Windsor, and retired after many years of service to the community.
Tom was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and dear friend. He will fondly be remembered as a kind and gentle man who loved his family more than anything. Tom, Eveleen, and their three children built their dream home in 1976 on Old Main Street in South Windsor, where they resided for over 40 years. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and would always be waiting at the front door for their arrival.
Tom loved to stay active and would walk three miles every morning. He also enjoyed swimming, reading, and was particularly fond of a few cups of ice cream every day. Tom loved weekend trips to the Woodstock Inn in Vermont, and he spent many Sundays at Olde Sturbridge Village, where he and Evie were members. He was also proud to have run in one of the first annual Thanksgiving Manchester Road Races.
Tom's family will remember his extensive hat collection, his love of ice cream and chocolates, but most of all his humor and words of wisdom. He leaves a legacy of beautiful memories that will live in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
In addition to his wife and best friend, Evie, Thomas is survived by his sons, Thomas P. McKenna, III and his wife Catherine of Isle of Palms, SC, and Gregg McKenna of Ridgeland, SC; his daughter, Jennifer Paige Bena and her husband James of Alpharetta, GA; his cherished grandchildren, Andrew McKenna, Paige Bena, Matthew McKenna, and Thomas Bena; his great-grandson, Jackson McKenna; brothers, John McKenna of Madison and David McKenna of Manchester; sister, Anne Lukas of Manchester; and many other relatives and dear friends.
His family will receive friends on Saturday, August 26, 9:30-10:30 a.m., with a Prayer Service at 10:30 a.m., at Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Road in South Windsor.
Burial will be private in East Cemetery, Manchester.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Tom may be made to Memory Matters, P.O. Box 22330, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925. To leave a condolence, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com